A George III Specimen Top Parquetry Occasional Table

A most unusual late eighteenth century George III period occasional table, having a square parquetry top of specimen woods all cut in lozenge form and raised upon an ebonised stem with boxwood inlaid tripod legs.

This parquetry table with a geometric, mosaic like inlay has a high decorative value. The word parquetry stems from the French ‘parchet’, first employed at Versailles in 1682. As an alternative to stone or marble, it soon became of interest to cabinet makers.